Explore Australia

Merimbula Aquarium Twenty-seven tanks here present a wide range of sea life and an oceanarium showcases large ocean fish including sharks. Fish feeding time is 11.30am Mon, Wed and Fri (Mon–Fri in school holidays). Excellent seafood restaurant on-site. Merimbula Wharf, Lake St.

Old School Museum: town history displayed in excellent collection of photos, documents and memorabilia; Main St. Scenic flights: view the Sapphire Coast from the air. Bookings through Merimbula Air Services; (02) 6495 1074. Trike Tours: enjoy the beauty of the coast on three wheels; (02) 6495 2300.

Pambula This historic sister village of Merimbula has excellent fishing on the Pambula River and a market 2nd Sun each month. Pambula Beach has a scenic walking track and lookout, with kangaroos and wallabies gathering on the foreshore at dawn and dusk; 7 km SW.

Magic Mountain Family Recreation Park: rollercoaster, water slides, minigolf and picnic area; Sapphire Coast Dr; 5 km N. Tura Beach: resort town with excellent beach for surfing; 5 km NE. Yellow Pinch Wildlife Park: peaceful bushland setting with array of native animals, birds and reptiles; 5 km E. Oakland Farm Trail Rides: scenic trail rides to the Pambula River; Princes Hwy, South Pambula; 0428 957 257; 10 km SW. Whale-watching (Oct–Nov), boat cruises and boat hire: bookings at visitor centre.

Merimbula 1 km

Most visitors on family trips arrive at Merimbula with at least one fishing rod on board. Some give priority to the boat and tackle, then try to fit the family in around them. A good boat ramp is situated near the... Find out more

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Pambula Lake 9 km

Pambula Lake, south of Merimbula, also known as the Broadwater, produces good catches of bream, dusky flathead, tailor, whiting, salmon, gummy sharks and mulloway. I fished this water with Bruce Libbis on one of his... Find out more

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Tathra 20 km

Tathra is a great family destination with a mixed bag of fishing. Saltwater anglers can choose from estuary, surf, rock and blue-water, while freshwater offerings include streams and dams. The major fishing attraction... Find out more

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Eden 25 km

Anyone looking for fishing variety should visit Eden. Angling opportunities include offshore game, reef, beach, estuary and pier. Eden nestles snugly on the shoreline of Twofold Bay and, unlike Merimbula and Narooma... Find out more

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Lake Wonboyn 39 km

Lake Wonboyn is one of my all-time favourite spots. Located about halfway between Eden and the border with Victoria, this large estuary system suits serious anglers and families. Some visitors to this estuary stay in... Find out more

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Green Cape 44 km

Anglers who fish the east coast often refer to the January–March period as the ‘magic quarter’, when the East Australian Current brings millions of baitfish that in turn attract large predators, like... Find out more

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Bermagui 53 km

Bermagui is small fishing port but a world-famous gamefishing destination. It owes its fame to an American western writer, Zane Grey, who went there in 1936. Little has changed since then. ‘Bermi’, as most... Find out more

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Wallagaraugh River 62 km

The Wallagaraugh River is in southern NSW and northern Victoria. It’s a big river, wide and deep in parts. Upstream, near where the Princes Highway crosses the river, it breaks out into pools. For anglers who... Find out more

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Maramingo Creek 67 km

One of the most exciting, albeit also one of the most frustrating, days I experienced in an estuary took place in Maramingo Creek, an offshoot of the Genoa River. To get there, follow the Genoa River upstream from the... Find out more

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Gipsy Point 68 km

If you are after dusky flathead and black bream, then Gipsy Point – which marks the junction of the Wallagaraugh and Genoa rivers – offers easy access to some of the best fishing in the inlet. To get there,... Find out more

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Cycling - Bega Valley to Orbost 25 km

Back Pedal Cycle Tours is an eco-certified tour company that offers a great range of supported, safe and family-friendly cycle tours, from single-day excursions in the Bega Valley, through to the three-day ‘Border... Find out more

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Platypus-watching - Bombala 60 km

If you believe the hype, Bombala is the platypus capital of Australia and the locals stop just short of guaranteeing you a sighting. The best spot is the Platypus Reserve on the Bombala River (off Delegate Road) in the... Find out more

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Croajingolong National Park 102 km

One-third of Australia’s bird species have been spotted in this 87 500-hectare park that stretches for 100 kilometres along the coast. The threatened ground parrot forages in the heath and lorikeets feed in the... Find out more

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Snowy Mountains Touring Company 126 km

Based on an unusual concept, this company offers a personal tour guide who can accompany you, in your vehicle, explaining the history, heritage, flora and fauna of the area as you travel. Either you can drive, or they... Find out more

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Canoeing in the Snowys 128 km

It is certainly not the best spot in the country for canoeing and kayaking, but peaceful days can be had enjoying these activities on Lake Jindabyne, or more exciting adventures are possible on overnight excursions down... Find out more

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Sailing - Batemans Bay 133 km

Batemans Bay Sailing Charters is eco-certified and offers sailing trips out of Batemans Bay on a 12.5-metre catamaran, from a three-hour cruise around the bay to overnight excursions.... Find out more

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Cross-country skiing 144 km

A delightful winter pastime, cross-country skiing is a mix of walking, gliding and skiing, and the basics are much easier to pick up than those of downhill skiing or snowboarding. You can undertake the activity at... Find out more

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Bushwalking in the Snowy Mountains 149 km

There is almost no end to the hiking that can be done in the Snowy Mountains. There are hundreds of kilometres of hiking tracks, and infinite ways to wander through the hills. The most popular walks are to the top of... Find out more

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Bushwalking on the South Coast, NSW 172 km

From meanders along isolated beaches and around heath-covered headlands, to long hikes up rugged mountains in Budawang, Morton or Deua national parks, the South Coast provides limitless possibilities for great... Find out more

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Picnicking around Canberra 193 km

There are many great places to unpack a picnic in the Australian Capital Territory, from the copious native areas in the Australian National Botanic Gardens, to the bird mecca of Jerrabomberra Wetlands on the Molonglo... Find out more

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Narooma Golf Club 77 km

Narooma is a small coastal haven with world-class beaches. It has become renowned for the whales, seals and penguins attracted to the pristine waters offshore. But one of the town’s major attractions remains its... Find out more

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Royal Canberra Golf Club (Westbourne course) 191 km

When the site for the nation’s capital was selected in 1909, it was mainly rolling grassy plains with few trees. Little was known about what species might flourish in Canberra’s environment. The federal... Find out more

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Poppy’s Courtyard Cafe

The courtyard dining area of this popular cafe offers a restful garden setting for lunch, in the company of native birds. The chicken and avocado focaccia is deservedly popular, as are the all-day breakfasts, crepes and... Find out more

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Zanzibar Cafe

A range of culinary delights awaits diners at this popular street cafe. Produce is sourced from all over the region, including fresh seafood from Eden and aged beef from Lakes Entrance. The dishes are savvy in their... Find out more

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Wig & Pen Brewery/Tavern 192 km

Canberra may well claim to be the real ale capital of Australia on the strength of this single brew-pub, which sees more pints of hand-pumped ale pulled than any other joint in the land. From the well-balanced and... Find out more

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Hobart Beach camping area 11 km

Spacious and well equipped, Hobart Beach camping area has shaded campsites, lovely picnic spots and excellent lookouts (Turingal Head is a favourite). A number of walking tracks fan out from here, and the park rangers... Find out more

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Bega Caravan Park 23 km

Nestled into the lush and verdant Bega Valley, Bega Caravan Park is a well-appointed, comfortable place with a range of accommodation options – including motel-style units, cabins, and powered and unpowered tent... Find out more

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Gillards Beach camping area 27 km

The Bermagui–Tathra Rd turns onto Gillards Rd, at the end of which you’ll find 70 camping sites, wood barbecues and toilets. You can swim, fish, or take a long walk along the beautiful sandy beach. Bring your... Find out more

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Middle Beach camping area (walk-in camping) 29 km

Aptly named, this camping area is smack-bang in the middle of the national park’s coastline. To get here, take the Haighs Rd turn-off from the Bermagui–Tathra Rd, and look for Middle Beach Rd. If you hit... Find out more

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Mowarry Point camping area (bush camping) 29 km

With no facilities, this bush-camping site is along the Light to Light walking track, 3 km north of Saltwater Creek. You can also walk in from the end of the road to the north, which passes by scenic Leatherjacket... Find out more

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Saltwater Creek camping area 32 km

To get to Saltwater Creek campground, follow the Princes Hwy 18 km south of Eden and turn onto Green Cape Rd then Duckhole Rd. Turn east onto Saltwater Rd and follow it to the end. There’s fishing, swimming,... Find out more

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Picnic Point camping area 32 km

Only 2 of the 18 campsites here are suitable for trailers, and as no bookings are taken you’ll just have to cross your fingers and hope for the best. Tent up amid gnarly banksias, then take your pick of swimming,... Find out more

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Six Mile Creek Rest Area 35 km

As you follow the Tantawangalo Mountain Rd to this campsite, you can inform your companions you’re travelling on a road originally constructed more than 150 years ago. Six Mile Creek is a refreshing and scenic... Find out more

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Hegartys Bay camping area (bush camping) 36 km

This is a bush camping site with no facilities, along the Light to Light walking track north of Bittangabee Bay. Access via either Bittangabee Bay or Saltwater Creek to the north. Bring your own drinking water; gas/fuel... Find out more

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Aragunnu camping area 36 km

This northernmost campground can be accessed along Aragunnu Road off the Bermagui–Tathra Rd, about 25 km south of Bermagui. There’s a short, easy walk linking the northern and southern picnic areas, and a 200... Find out more

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Merimbula Beach Holiday Park 2 km

Perched on a headland looking out to sea, this quality park is in a great position. It has an excellent range of facilities including a shop and takeaway food. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length... Find out more

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Discovery Holiday Parks – Pambula Beach 6 km

This beachside park is one of our favourites in the popular family holiday region of the south coast of New South Wales. It has a pool complex, a licensed restaurant and spotless amenities, and is a great family park.... Find out more

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Eden Tourist Park 18 km

Situated across the road from the beach, this place is 2 km from the town centre. A popular holiday park, it caters predominantly for tourists, offering good facilities. It is a good base from which to explore the area.... Find out more

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Garden of Eden Caravan Park 18 km

This is a well-appointed, reasonably priced park in a great garden setting, just 2 km from the town centre. It is a good place for an overnight stay or for a longer holiday. Bookings are required in peak periods; pets... Find out more

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Seabreeze Holiday Park 19 km

This is a very good quality park located across the road from the surf club, and just a stroll to local eateries. The features here are outstanding and include Austar television cabled to every site. Bookings are... Find out more

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Tathra Beach Family Park 19 km

This good quality, absolute beachfront park is located in the heart of Tathra. Just stroll to the beach from your site or take a short walk to the town centre, restaurants or club. Bookings are required in peak periods... Find out more

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Discovery Holiday Parks – Eden 21 km

Easily accessed from the highway, this picturesque park is located on the south side of Eden in a lovely beachfront position. It has a wide range of facilities. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length... Find out more

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Bega Caravan Park 23 km

This well-managed park alongside the Princes Highway is on the southern approach to Bega. There are large grassy sites, modern amenities and pets are welcome. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Zane Grey Tourist Park 54 km

Close to the centre of town, this good quality park is popular with holidaymakers. The park was so named because the American writer Zane Grey once had a fishing shack on this piece of land. Bookings are required in peak... Find out more

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Wallagaraugh River Retreat 65 km

This park is located at the end of 8 km of good, unsealed road and the turn-off is well signposted on the Princes Highway, around 8 km east of Genoa. On the banks of the Wallagaraugh River, this is a secluded spot for... Find out more

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Robyns Nest

Robyns Nest has an absolute waterfront location at Merimbula’s Top Lake, surrounded by bushland and rainforest that offers a plethora of wildlife and nature walks. There are six guest suites in the guesthouse and... Find out more

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Adobe Mudbrick Holiday Flats, Mallacoota 74 km

These 12 rustic mudbrick flats were ecologically designed to avoid the need for air-conditioning, and have solar hot water and rainwater tanks. The 32-hectare surrounds are managed as a Land for Wildlife property,... Find out more

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Jacarri Eco-Cottage, Goongerah 119 km

This rustic little cottage in East Gippsland sleeps four, and has solar power and a dry composting toilet. It has been built with sustainable timbers and uses a water wheel to fill the water tank. Organic fruit,... Find out more

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Alpine Habitats, near Jindabyne 134 km

Opened in 2007, these 18 cleverly designed two-bedroom buildings are linked underground by massive worm farms that digest all the compostable waste on the site. Set amid gnarled black sallees and other snow gums, the... Find out more

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Arthur’s Cottage, Cudgewa 207 km

This historic mudbrick, two-bedroom cottage was built around 1897, but now has solar-powered lights and a gas kitchen. It sits quietly on the Cudgewa Creek, with platypus drifting past. You will need to bring your own... Find out more

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Yellowpinch Dam Rest Area 10 km

32 km N of Eden (L) or 22 km S of Bega (R) Small area located 1 kilometre off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S36 51.068 E149 48.765... Find out more

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Bega Lookout Park Area 28 km

5 km N of Bega (R) or 72 km S of Narooma (L) Small area just off the highway at the lookout. GPS: S36 38.692 E149 49.430... Find out more

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Hut Link Road Rest Area 35 km

89 km NE of Cann River (L) or 19 km SW of Eden (L) Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S37 12.278 E149 50.695  ... Find out more

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Scrubby Creek Rest Area 38 km

86 km NE of Cann River (L) or 22 km SW of Eden (R) Large area just off the highway in the forest. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S37 13.370 E149 49.797... Find out more

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Bemboka Rest Area 41 km

East side of town Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. NOTE: Camping and showers available for a fee. GPS: S36 38.127 E149 34.696... Find out more

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Quaama Rest Area 47 km

31 km N of Bega (R) or 46 km S of Narooma (L) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S36 28.110 E149 51.979 ... Find out more

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Fred Piper Memorial Lookout Park Area 53 km

14 km W of Bemboka (L) or 62 km E of Cooma (R) Very small parking bay adjacent to the highway at the lookout. GPS: S36 35.841 E149 26.647... Find out more

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Wallagaraugh River Rest Area 56 km

65 km NE of Cann River (L) or 43 km SW of Eden (R) Small area adjacent to the highway among a few large trees. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S37 22.163 E149 42.885... Find out more

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Mystery Bay Camp Area 68 km

T/O 68 km N of Bega (R) or 9 km S of Narooma (L) Small shady campground located on the foreshore at a secluded beach 2 kilometres east of the highway. Limited facilities. Good shade. GPS: S36 18.032 E150... Find out more

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Nimmitabel Park Area 70 km

South side of town Parking area at Lake Williams. Good facilities. GPS: S36 30.903 E149 16.928... Find out more

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Genoa Rest Area 71 km

48 km NE of Cann River (L) or 61 km SW of Eden (R) Large area well off the highway on the north side of the river. Excellent facilities. Good shade. GPS: S37 28.351 E149 35.486... Find out more

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Corunna Lake Park Area 72 km

71 km N of Bega (L) or 6 km S of Narooma (R) Very small area just off the highway on the shores of the lake. GPS: S36 16.016 E150 07.742... Find out more

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Bodalla Forest Park Rest Area 84 km

9 km N of Narooma (L) or 32 km S of Moruya (R) Large secluded area in the forest. Very good facilities and shade. GPS: S36 09.063 E150 05.729... Find out more

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Thurra River Rest Area 94 km

11 km E of Cann River (L) or 98 km SW of Eden (R) Small but secluded area well off the highway in the forest. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S37 34.147 E149 16.346... Find out more

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Mount Gladstone Lookout Rest Area 103 km

T/O 4 km W of Cooma (L) or 47 km SE of Adaminaby (R) Small area 1.5 kilometres south of the highway at the lookout. Good facilities. Limited shade. NOTE: Steep access road. GPS: S36 15.04 E149 04.42... Find out more

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Waldrons Swamp Rest Area 115 km

8 km N of Moruya (R) or 20 km S of Batemans Bay (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S35 51.906 E150 07.158  ... Find out more

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Bemm River Rest Area 122 km

45 km E of Orbost (R) or 30 km W of Cann River (L) Small area 300 metres off the highway in the forest. Good shade. GPS: S37 37.799 E148 53.224... Find out more

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Bellbird Creek Rest Area 129 km

39 km E of Orbost (R) or 36 km W of Cann River (L) Small parking area next to the hotel. Good shade. GPS: S37 39.132 E148 49.058  ... Find out more

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Adaminaby Park Area 142 km

Middle of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S35 59.822 E148 46.467  ... Find out more

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Murrungower Rest Area 145 km

16 km E of Orbost (L) or 59 km W of Cann River (R) Large secluded area just off the highway in a pleasant forest setting. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S37 41.358 E148 37.107... Find out more

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